Course Description: Geometry is a two-semester course for students who have demonstrated mastery of skills found in a high school Algebra I course. The course content includes perspective, space, dimension, application and calculation of measurements, and an introduction to trigonometry. Students will use their own logic along with key geometry theorems to create proofs and constructions.
Course Level: The ALHS Online (ALHSO) Geometry course will cover the same content in the same amount of time as typically done in a traditional high school Geometry course.
Student math qualifications: Only academically capable students who have already completed a high school level Algebra I course with a grade of B or higher, should be allowed to enroll in the course. It is up to each participating school to carefully pre-screen its students before allowing them to enroll in Geometry.
Student online learning qualifications: Online learning requires a greater degree of
student self-motivation and diligence to keep up with class assignments compared to a traditional classroom. It is up to each school to carefully pre-screen its students before allowing them to enroll in online courses.
Course enrollment: Any qualified WELS/ELS 8
th grade student is welcome to enroll in the course, as long as there are student seats still available. Seats will be filled on a first-registered, first-enrolled policy. The course will have a minimum enrollment of 3 students and a maximum of 10 students.
Tuition Rates: Tuition for WELS/ELS 8
th grade students is $160 per student per semester for 2020-21. This is a discount of $100 off the high school rate. (The tuition cost remains at $260 per semester for all other students.)
Course registration: Go to the ALHSO
http://www.alhso.org website, select the
Resources tab, and
Registration Forms link, and then download the
2020-21 Online Registration Form instructions. (
Available by Feb. 24, 2020.) Follow the instructions provided in the document. (Note: The registration fee is $25, but the tuition cost will be $160 instead of $260, for WELS/ELS 7-8th grade students. Registration fee increases to $35 after Aug. 5. If there is still room in the course, registrations will be accepted up until the course start date, August 26.)
Method of Instruction: The courses will be taught in an asynchronous online format, which means students and the instructor do not need to be logged into the course site at the same time. Moodle will be used as the Learning Management System (LMS) to facilitate the course. Moodle is accessed through a website and does not require any installation on the user side. Students will receive a unique username and password to access the course site.
Students are expected to log in each day, Monday-Friday, but at a time that is convenient for them. Schools build time into the regular school day, just like a regular course, where all Geometry students from a particular school would be working on the course at the same time. Some students might need to spend additional time at home to keep up with the rest of the class.
- Students will be required to write out detailed work for each problem assigned, not just provide the answer.
- Scheduled assignments will be due even if the student's school has a day off or students are gone on a field trip.
- Students will need to be cooperative partners in their learning, taking the course to further their mathematical understanding and be committed to fulfilling the coursework and requirements.
- Students that are diligent in following directions, showing work, and time management, are usually successful in their understanding of Geometry.
Time Commitment: The amount of time needed to be successful in the course can vary widely from one student to the next. A general expectation is 45 minutes per day, 5 days per week. Some days may take more or less time based on the assigned tasks.
Textbook: Saxon Geometry, Student Edition, ISBN # 978-1602773059
Technology:
Each student needs a computer with reliable high-speed internet access. Since the course utilizes audio/video files, a microphone and headphones are needed.
- Computer: with high-speed internet access
- Scanner or camera for uploading images of daily practice (or digital writing device if the student wants to do daily practice digitally)
- Headphones/microphone
Course proctor: Each participating school must assign a course proctor for the student(s) at the school taking the course. The regular classroom teacher may serve as the proctor. The course proctor will:
- Need to help, especially at the beginning of the semester, getting students acclimated to following directions, showing work, and submitting assignments on time.
- Serve as the main contact person between the course instructor and the school. Typical communication might include items such as days off from school, absent students, missing assignments, student progress, etc.
- Arrange for local support, guidance, and technical assistance for students, as needed.
- Arrange for proctoring of tests. (The course instructor will provide specific instructions to the proctor concerning tests and the proctor's role in test administration.)
- Teachers are encouraged to contact both the Proctor and parents for such issues as consistently late, sloppy, or missing work, plagiarism, etc., so everyone can work together to encourage the student to do his or her best work.
High School credit: It is up to each high school to determine if a student taking a Geometry course in 8
th grade will also receive high school credit. Some high schools have a placement test that students need to take to determine student's knowledge. Check with your local high school for information on their policy.
